Back to work after brief holiday. Have been somewhat miserable since the weekend, but was somewhat diverted and even got reasonably productive somewhere along the line. Anxious wait for news from hosptial where friend is undergoing surgery - all is eventually well. Visiting in the evening. Sleep patterns all out of whack.
The long dreaded 30th birthday arrives. Up reasonably early in bright and cold weather. Phonecalls to set up meetings later. Meet bus, then out for an early coffee. Met friends' parents who persuaded us that going to the pub to celebrate would be a fine idea. Quick improvised lunch, then met others at the station. Slow journey to Bristol (with a strange running commentary from the conductor). Highbury Vaults - met final member of our party. Over to The Victoria (thanks to the staff for free celebratory drink!), then eventually to the Coronation Tap which was so full of people we weren't allowed in. Went to the Bengal Raj for wonderful food. Late discussions back in Weston. A very strange, non-difficult and quite pleasant birthday.
Second day of leave. Wonderful bright, cold morning. Messed around updating from CVS - Nautilus now working better than for ages, not sure what I'd messed up, but confident it was me that had broken things. Washed, cleaned, shopped and did other chores. Finished "The Town Traveller" - a fine tale. Wondered again why no-one ever filmed one of GRGs books? Failed to get mailman to work. Later, went to see an amateur dramatic production at a village hall not far from here. It was really pretty awful, funny but truly bad. Still, nice to see ex-senior management colleagues brave enough to act! Early return.
Surprisingly bright morning. Lazy start, then walked to Warne Road to meet some ex-colleagues who I've promised to visit for a while. Back to railway station for a Bristol trip. Lunch and coffee then some wandering in Clifton, bookshop browsing and a chance to pick up the new Delgados CD. I realise that in all the concern around the upcoming 30th I've neglected a far scarier anniversary - tomorrow I will have worked in the public sector for nine years!
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
